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July 10, 1962
L. H. DAVIS ETAL
3,043,507
APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND RECORDING VALUES
Filed Jan. 31, 1957
5 Sheets-Sheet 1
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L. H. DAVIS ET AL
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Julyv 10, 1962
L. H. DAVIS ET'AL
3,043,507
APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND RECORDING VALUES
Filed Jan. 51, 1957
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3,043,507
Patented July 10, 1962
2
with better reproducibility and greater accuracy than can
3,043,507
APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND
RECORDING VALUES
Loyal H. Davis, Richmond, Va., Herbert Arkin, New
York, N.Y., and Otis L. Updike, Jr., Charlottesville,
Va., assignors to Philip Morris Incorporated, New
York, N.Y., a corporation of Virginia
Filed Jan. 31, 1957, Ser. No. 637,527
17 Claims. (Cl. 235-451)
The present invention relates generally to calculating
machines, and more particularly to systems for automati
cally computing certain statistical measures pertaining to
physical characteristics of a plurality of objects.
be expected when employing the manual method.
Brie?y describing a preferred embodiment of the in
vention, a device is provided for automatically feeding
individual objects, speci?cally cigarettes, to a transducer
which measures a physical characteristic of the objects,
speci?cally weight, and translates the measurements as
electrical signals. The description will proceed on this
basis, without thereby intending any limitation in respect
to the character of the physical characteristic, or the char
acter of the objects, the system being applicable to a wide
variety of objects and physical characteristics. Devices
are provided for automatically obtaining the sum of the
weivhts of a predetermined number of the objects, and
It is well known that variations exist in all the products 15 the sum of the squares of the Weights, in response to the
electrical signals. From the sums so obtained may be
of industry, whether the objects be large or small, hand
readily calculated the arithmetic mean of the weights
made or machine-made, and whether they are produced
and the standard deviation, or root-mean-square devia
on a large or on a small scale. The cigarette industry is
tion. These values are useful in connection with quality
a highly mechanized industry in which tremendous quan
titles of cigarettes are produced automatically by ma 20 control and statistical research, in cigarette manufacture.
The system includes an automatic device for feeding
chine, and in which variation of product from standard
cigarettes one by one to a balance, the balance itself, and
is of major importance.
an eject mechanism vfor removing cigarettes from the bal
All the cigarettes of any given brand may look alike,
ance at a proper point in a weighing cycle, a transducer
and may include tobacco of one speci?c brand, but they
inevitably contain shreds of tobacco from hundreds of 25 vfor translating de?ection of the balance to an electrical
analogue output, devices for converting the electrical ana
different leaves, no two of which are exactly alike. In the
logue output into an indication of weight group within
manufacturing of cigarettes, everything possible is done to
which each weighed cigarette falls, and devices for adding
insure uniformity. There are, however, so many vari
the weight group numbers, and the squares of these. In
ables in the operation that it is impossible to make two
addition, there may be provided devices for adding the
cigarettes precisely alike.
number of items which falls within each of a plurality of
One of the ways in which cigarettes differ is in the
preselected weight groups or combinations thereof, and
amount of tobacco the cigarette-making machine includes
a means for stopping the ‘operation of the system after
in each cigarette. This quantity is important both to the
a speci?ed number of cigarettes has been processed.
manufacturer and to the smoker. The manufacturer de—
In more general terms, the system of the invention com
prises a device for automatically feeding objects to a
transducer which provides an electrical analogue output
representative of a desired characteristic of each object,
means for translating the electrical analogue outputs into
form cigarettes, since any deviation from uniformity ef
fects some change in Weight of the cigarette, which, in i quantized groups, and means for obtaining the total
weights of the class groups for a predetermined number
turn, affects the resistance to draw as well as the taste
of objects, and obtaining also the sum of the squares
of the cigarette. Su?iciently light cigarettes may collapse
of the weights of the class groups for the same objects.
after a few puffs, besides giving a hotter smoke due to a
A primary and unique feature of the present invention
more rapid rate of burning, with less ?ltration.
is its automatic compilation of the sums and sums of
It has been found, by means of statistical analyses, that
squares of measured characteristics, from which may be
the weights of individual cigarettes provide an excellent
derived quickly and with a minimum of computation sta
measure of the capabilities of various types of cigarette
tistical measures such as standard deviation, arithmetic
making machines for producing uniform cigarettes. An
mean, and other statistical measures useful in industrial
analysis conducted on a relatively few cigarettes enables
research and quality control. It is, accordingly, a broad
prediction of the manner in which a cigarette-making ma
object of the present invention to provide a novel calculat
chine is operating. If a test shows a marked deviation
ing device ‘for obtaining data. valuable in statistical re
in one direction of average cigarette weight, it indicates
sires that no more tobacco shall be consumed than is nec
essary, since it increases his direct costs if unnecessary
quantities of tobacco are utilized. At the same time he
wishes to please the consumer of the cigarette with uni
that the machine is not operating properly, and should,
accordingly, be inspected in order to determine the rea
son for improper operation. The testing involves weigh—
ing of a considerable number of cigarettes, and such rou
search and quality control.
‘
It is a further object of the invention to provide a
' system for feeding objects in sequence to a transducer
which derives, in terms of an electrical analogue signal,
quantities representative of groupings or cells into which
tine weighings are time-consuming as well as tedious.
fall some speci?ed characteristic of the object, these
They involve not only manual weighings but also tally
groupings or cells being weighted, obtaining the sum of
ings and calculations. Nevertheless, such procedures are
an important part of statistical quality control. It there 60 the weights of the groupings or cells, and the sum of
the squares of the weights of the groupings or cells, for
a predetermined number of objects, and performing the
fore has become important to provide an automatic ma
chine which will perform the necessary weighings and
calculations required for effecting statistical studies of
cigarette production. The present system constitutes such
a machine. To indicate the effectiveness of automatic cal
entire required sequence of operations automatically,
rapidly and e?iciently.
65
Still a further object of the invention resides in the
provision of a completely automatic electronic apparatus
culation as against manual calculation, it has in ‘the past
which, when an unspeci?ed quantity of cigarettes is sup
required approximately twenty minutes for a complete
plied to the machine, computes and records statistical
weighing, tallying and calculation relating to one hun
dred cigarettes, by the manual method. By utilizing the 70 measures ‘for a predetermined sample of such cigarettes.
In another aspect of the invention, there is provided an
system of the present invention, the elapsed time per run,
electronic
calculating machine which automatically com
including the various computations, is about ?ve minutes,
3,043,507
3
4
putes a statistical evaluation of the uniformity of individ
nection with those ?gures. Transducer T supplies signals
ual cigarettes.
in sequence as objects are fed thereto from an object feed
The above and still further objects, features and ad
vantages of the present invention will become apparent
upon consideration of the following detailed description
of a preferred embodiment of the invention, particularly
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying draw
device 21, which in the presently described embodiment
of our invention includes the hopper 1 and the feed cylin
der 2. The output from the transducer T may be in the
form of electrical voltage, which is applied in parallel to
a bank or array of current sensitive relays SR, each of
‘which is arranged to respond to a different current. Ac
FIGURE 1 is a view in side elevation of a cigarette
cordingly, a plurality of the sensitive relays may be ac
feed and weighing device;
IO tuated in response to each weighing operation, and those
FIGURE 2 is a view, partly in, perspective and partly
of the sensitive relays will be selected for operation which
ings wherein:
in functional diagram,_of a photo-electric transducer which
is capable of translating angular position of a balance
arm into an electrical analogue output signal representa
correspond with the weight of the then weighed cylin
drical objects or any lesser weight. The sensitive relays
select connector relays 22, there being wiring intercon
tive of a weight;
FIGURE 3 is a block diagram of the present system;
FIGURES 4a-4c, taken together constitute a schematic
circuit diagram of a system in accordance with the pres
necting'the bank of sensitive relays and the bank of con
nector relays such that one only of the connector relays
will be actuated for each weighing operation, and that
one will represent the weight grouping of the weighed
ent invention;
cylindrical object. The connector relays 22 then actuate
FIGURE 5 is a timing diagram useful in explaining a 20 solenoids 23 selectively, the latter being employed to ac
cycle of operation of the system;
tuate the push rods of a print-out adding machine 24 in
FIGURE 6 is a view in perspective of a solenoid ac
accordance with weight grouping. A timer 25 is provided
for controlling the cycle of operations of the machine,
i.e., the timer supplies synchronizing signals to the ob
ject feed device 21, and controls the solenoids 23 so that
they actuate the adding machine 24 only following com
pletion of each weighing operation, and further actuate
tuated adding machine, having two adding machine sec
tions, one of which provides sums of weights and the
other the sums of the squares of weights, and which con
stiutes an element of the present system; and
FIGURE 7 is a plot of the locations of key actuating
solenoids for the adding machines of FIGURE 6.
an add solenoid of the adding machine 24 after a weight
Referring now more speci?cally to the accompanying
grouping has been inserted.
drawings, and more speci?cally to FIGURE 1 thereof, 30 Reference is now made to FIGURES 4a to 4c, inclu
the reference numeral 1 denotes a gravity feed hopper for
sive, of the accompanying drawings, which together con
cylindrical objects C which may, ‘in a speci?c and pre
stitute a schematic circuit diagram of a speci?c embodi
ferred application of the present invention, be cigarettes.
ment of the invention.
Located at the egress of the hopper 1 is a rotary cylinder
In the circuit of FIGURES 4a to 40 the photo-cell 19
2, which as seen in FIGURE 1, rotates in a counterclock 35 supplies output sign-a1 to an output lead 20, which is con
wise direction, and which contains in its periphery a num
nected to ground via a circuit including a potentiometer
ber of radially extending slots 3, each capable of convey~
31 and via ?xed resistances 33, the low voltage end of the
ing one ‘of the cylindrical objects. The latter are con
latter connecting to a slider 34 of a potentiometer 35 hav
veyed counterclockwise by the cylinder 2, past a curved
ing relatively low resistance, the latter proceeding at one
guard rail 4 which terminates above a scale pan 5, so 40 end to ground. The variable tap 32 of the potentiometer
that as each cigarette emerges past the end of the guard
31 is connected via a switch 35a, in the “Operate” posi
rail 4, it drops ‘on to the scale pan 5. The latter may con
tion to a lead 36. The lead 36 is connected via current
sist of two arms, separated ‘along the length of the cylin
limiting resistances 37 to the grids of a plurality of cath
drical number by a distance adequate to support the
ode follower twin triodes 38, 39 and 40. Adjustment of
cylindrical object horizontally in stable relation. After
a weighing operation has been completed, an ejector arm
8, which is solenoid actuated, removes the cylindrical ob
ject from the scale pan 5, into any suitable receptacle (not
shown).
The scale pan 5 resides at one end of an elongated rod
10 that is supported adjacent its center on a transverse
pivot 11. A light weight damping vane 14' may be se
cured to the rod 10 at the end thereof which lies opposite
the end containing the scale pan ‘5. A counter-weight 15
is provided for counterbalancing the weight of the vane ;
14, and the arrangement and distribution of weights is so
selected that the elongated rod 110 will assume an angular
position with respect to the horizontal which is deter
mined in accordance with the weight of the cylindrical
object C. A light source 17 is provided, light emerging
the variable tap of the potentiometer 32 permits adjust
ment of the gain of the cathode follower twin triodes 38,
39 and 40, there being eifectively six such triodes, all con
nested in parallel, and the triode tubes being preferably of
the 6SN7GT type. The parallel connection of a plu
rality of cathode follower circuits is required in order to
provide the desired amplitude of output current. The
cathode of the cathode follower triodes are all connected
in common to an output lead 41, which is connected in
parallel to a plurality of sensitive relays SR. Suitable ,
anode resistances 42 are connected in series with each
‘anode of the twin triodes 38, 39 and ‘40, for voltage drop~
ping purposes.
The sensitive relays SR may all be identical. Con
nected in series with each of the SR relays is a ?xed re
(it) sistance 43 and an adjustable resistance 44.
The adjust
from which is condensed by a suitable condensing lens
ment of the several adjustable resistances '44 may be so
18, and passes from the condensing lens '18 to a photoelec~
made that resistance in series with the several SR relays
tric cell or tube 19. The light emerging from the con
is progressively varied in steps as one proceeds along
densing lens 18 contains parallel rays. These light rays
the bank of relays from right to left. Accordingly, in
are in part intercepted by the vane 14, so that the total 6 response to any given voltage on the lead 41, the several
quantity of light impinging on the photoelectric cell (19
relays receive different currents, and the relays are so
is a function of the angular position of the vane 14, and
designed, arranged and adjusted that each will pick up
accordingly of the weight of a. cylindrical object C de
its contact only in response to a predetermined minimum
posited on scale pan 5.
energizing current, which is the same for all the relays.
Referring now more speci?cally to FIGURE 3 of the 70 The arrangement is such that the SR relay on the ex—
accompanying drawings, wherein is illustrated in block
treme right of the diagram receives its energizing current
diagram form the general arrangement of the present sys
at minimum voltage on line 41, as seen in FIGURE 4a
tem, a transducer T is provided, the speci?c details of
of the accompanying drawings, and that on the extreme
which are illustrated in FIGURES l and 2 of the ac
left receives its energizing current at maximum voltage
companying drawings, and have been described in con 75 on line 41. Accordingly, in response to each weighing
3,043,507
5
6
operation, the SR relays which are selected for operation
extend from the right toward the left, and at some point
contacts 5813 close. This completes a circuit for multi
connector relay coils 54. One of the latter now is en
along the bank no further relays are actuated. The sev—
eral relays are identi?ed by the lower case letters b .to y,
ergized, and closes its contacts, the time allotted being
where it is necessary for clarity of exposition that they be
selected multi-connector relay contacts.
Each of the multi-connector relays 54 includes six
pairs of contacts, which are normally open. Correspond
ing ones of each pair of contacts of the entire ‘assemblage
referred to on an individual basis.v
from J to L, and at time L current is supplied to the
Each of the SR relays includes a movable armature 46
and two stationary contacts 47, 48, with which the arma
of contacts are connected together to a common lead 72,
ture 46 makes contact alternatively. In the unactuated
condition of the SR relays the armature 4-6 makes con 10 thence to contact 73 of relay 74.
The sets of contacts of the multi-contact relays 54 are
tact with the lower contact 48, and the upper contacts 4-7
illustrated in FIGURE 4a of the accompanying draw
are all open. In order to identify the several sets of con
ings as six rows of contacts, respectively, labeled
tacts, relays and armatures, the identifying letters b to
with the reference letters, a, b, c, cl, e and f, the several
y hereinabove applied to the sensitive relays SR are also
employed to identify the contacts and armatures. The 15 rows being arranged vertically one under the other. The
several contacts in rows, a, b, c, d, e, are arranged to
armature 46b is connected to a common power line 51,
actuate solenoids 23 of 'an adding machine 24 containing
each of contacts 47b to 47x is connected to the next suc
two banks of actuating plungers, one bank of which is
ceeding armature, i.e. the contact 47b is connected to
essentially independent of the other, and each bank repre
the armature 46c, the contact 470 to the armature 46d,
and so on. Contacts 47y and 48y are connected together, 20 senting operationally a separate adding machine. Ac
cordingly, while the invention has been illustrated and
and the contacts 48b to 48y, inclusive, are severally con
described as applying to a single adding machine employ
nected to individual multiconnector relays, hereinafter
ing two banks of actuating plungers, A1 and A2 two
identi?ed by the reference numeral 54, and also to neon
indicator lamps hereinafter identi?ed by the reference
separate adding machines may be employed if desired.
numeral 55. A circuit from each of the lamps 55 proceeds
The a and b contacts control bank Al, while the c, d and
e contacts controls bank A2. The several contacts have
to a common bus 56, and the circuits from the multi-con
nector relays 54 to a common ‘bus 57. The line 51 is
connected to a hot AC terminal, and the common bus
been labeled with numerals to indicate the identity of
the plunger of an adding machine which will be actuated
when the contacts are closed, in terms of the numerical
57 is connected ‘back to AC common, via cam operated
contacts 5813 (hereinafter described). Sensitive relays SR 30 value ‘of that plunger. So, in the row a, and proceeding
from right to left, the contacts are numbered one to nine,
are energized when timer contact 58A is closed. If su?i
followed by a blank contact representing zero, ‘followed
cient current is supplied to the signal relays SR to actu
by a further series of contacts labeled 1 to 9, followed
ate the armature 46b, multi-connector relay 54c is ac
in turn by a blank space representing zero, and again
cordingly energized. Energization of multi-connector re
followed by contacts labeled 1 to 4. The a row of con
lay 540 implies that multi-connector relay 54b is not en
tacts represents “units” and actuates units plungers of
ergized, since it implies that armature 46b is up. Ac
cordingly, energization of any of sensitive relays in the
array SR b to SR y implies that all SR relays bearing
identifying letters which precede in the alphabet are en
ergized, and also that all relays whose reference numerals
succeed in the alphabet are un-energized, in the ‘latter
an adding machine. The second row or the b contacts,
represent tens (wherefore no tens contacts are provided
underneath the ?rst 9 contacts of the a row). A series
of ten tens contacts are provided under the zero ‘and
under the nine succeeding units positions of the a row,
case because insui?cient current is supplied to effect en
and thereafter ?ve contacts appear under the next suc
ergization. Energization of SR relay b, on the other hand,
affects energization of only multi-connector relay 54c,
ceeding zero space and the next four units contacts, to
indicate counts of 20. It follows that any numeral from
and so on. Since the contacts 48y and 47y are inter 45 1 to 24 may be inserted into the bank Al according as
multi-connector relays 54b to 54y are selectively actuated.
connected, the chain ends at this point, and multi-con
To provide a few speci?c examples, if the multi-con
nector relay 54 y can only be energized if SR 9: relay is
nector relay 54b is energized, units contact 1 will be
energized.
,
closed. If the multi~connector relay 54K is energized,
It follows from the preceding description that as the
successive weighing operations proceed, and as currents
none of the units contacts l-9 will be closed, but a tens
of varying amplitudes are supplied to the bank of sensi
contact will be closed in row b. When multi-connector
tive relays, the multi-connector relays will be actuated
relay 541' is closed a sevens contact will be closed in row
one by one, each in response to one small range or cell
a and a tens contact in row b so that the multi-connector
relay 5dr represents 17. The multi-connector relay 54“
of values of the total current which may .be supplied to
the SR relays. These current ranges represent weight 55 does not close any units contact, but closes a “two” con
groupings or cells, and that one multi-connector relay
tact in b or tens row, and therefore represents 20. By
54 which is actuated represents the weight grouping of
analogy, then, it will be seen that as the identity of the
the cylindrical object then being weighed by the trans
actuated multi-connector relays, 54b to 54y, increases al
phabetically from b to y, in sequence, the ?rst adding
ducer T.
The several multi-connector relay coils 54 have been
machine section will have inserted therein numerals in
creasing in sequence from 1 to 24. The present embodi
described as commonly connected to a common bus 57.
The bus 57 proceeds to cam timer contacts 58B, ‘and
ment of the invention, accordingly has a limit of 24 dif
thence to an AC common line.
Accordingly, the ener
gizing circuit to the selected one of multi-connector relays
ferent values of weight, which may be arranged by ad
justment of the sensitive relay circuits to include any de
54 is not completed until such time ‘as the cam timer 65 sired range of actual weight values, as desired for a
contacts 58B are closed, which provides adequate time for
the transducer to arrive at ‘a condition of balance and
speci?c operation.
7
The c, d and e rows of contacts of multi-connector
for the sensitive relays SR to operate. The timing cycle
relays 54 represent the squares of the values which are
is illustrated in FIGURE 5 ofthe accompanying draw
indicated by the a and b rows, and the squared values are
ings, wherein is displayed a ?rst bar W, which indicates 70 inselted in the second adding machine section. So, the
multi-connector relay b would be required to energize
the time, H to I, allotted to the scale to attain a condition
of balance. At time I the contacts 58A are closed by
timer cam TC, which completes a circuit to sensitive re
a “one” contact in row c, the multi-connector relay c
to energize a “four” contact in the row 0, the multi
connector relay d to close a “nine” contact in the units
lays SR. The latter remain energized until time 0. After
the senstitive relays have been actuated, i.e. at time I, 75 row 0, the e relay to actuate a “six” contact in the units .
3,043,507
7
8
row and a “one” contact in the tens row, to represent
and opens the circuit through line 107 to the motor,
stopping the operation of the feeder. Contacts 80 are
paralleled by a manual stop switch 85, which similarly
may effect energization of release coil 82 and of lamp
16; the f relay to energize. a “?ve” contact in the units
row 0 and a “two” contact in the tens row d to repre
sent 25, ‘and so on.
The upper contacts of the multi~connector relay 54 CR
(which are illustrated in FIGURE 4a as unconnected)
proceed to adding machine actuating solenoids, 23, in
84.
~
The reference numeral 100 denotes a start button,
which when closed connects the coil 101 of a start relay
accordance with the above-described principles, via a
cable AC (FIGURE 6), while the common bus 72 pro
between the AC lines. The relay coil 101, when ener
gized, pulls down armature 83 to a contact 104. When
ceeds to normally open contact 73 of slow to operate re 10 the armature 83 is pulled down and makes contact with
lay 74, the other contact 75 of which proceeds to DC.
the lower contact 104, the circuit to the stop indicator
Cam operated contacts 58C are read-out contacts, and
S4 is ‘broken and a new circuit is completed through run
close shortly after closure ‘of contacts 5813, as indicated
indicator 106. In parallel with the latter circuit, ‘and
in the timing diagram of FIGURE 5 of the accompany
connected directly to the contact 104, is a line 107 which
ing drawings, i.e. at time L. When the contacts 580
proceeds to a motor 110, the circuit for the latter being
close, D.C. energy is supplied to the slow to operate relay
74. Relay 74 closes contacts 73, 75, which completes a
circuit from DC to line '72, and energizes the selected
adding machine solenoids 23. Accordingly, the cam timer
contacts 58C assure that the selected contacts of rows a
to 1‘ have been closed, before an energizing circuit is
completed through the selected contacts to the adding
machine actuating solenoids.
On closure of cam operated switch 58E the eject sole
noid 122 is energized, and ejects a cylindrical object C
' from the scale pan 5.
At the same time that a circuit
is closed for the eject solenoid 122, ‘by the cam operated
switch 58E, a circuit is also completed for a slow to
operate relay 123 which is connected by a ‘line 124 to one
completed via line 111.
Accordingly, when the start
switch 190 is closed the motor 110 commences to op
crate.
The cam operated contacts 58D are Feed-Fail contacts.
They are closed just prior to closure of contacts 58C,
which close the circuit from the multi-connector con
tacts to the plunger actuating solenoids of the adding
machine 24. In series with the contacts 58D are a pair
of contacts 130, which are normally open, and are oper
ated to closed condition when no cigarette is present in
scale pan 5.
Accordingly, if a cigarette is present in
scale pan 5 the cam operated contacts 58D are ineffec
tive to complete a circuit. If no cigarette is present, on
the other hand, closure of contacts 58D completes a cir
side of the switch 5835. When the relay coil 123 pulls 30 cuit for relay coil 132, which in turn opens contact pairs
down its armature 125 a circuit is completed directly
134 and 136. The latter operation breaks the circuits
from DC to counter 61. A current is also completed
to relay coils 74 and 123, and to eject solenoid 122, and
via line 128‘to an “add” solenoid in the adding machine
thus renders contacts 58C and 58B ineffective. It fol
24, causing the latter to add in the values then recorded
lows that the add and eject operations, as well as the in
on the multi-connector contacts.
OD Cl sertion of values into adding machine 24, do not take
A conventional power supply for the system is provided,
place, and that no count is added into the counter 61.
which supplies plate and heater voltage to the various
The system is thus in a sense rendered inoperative or dis
vacuum tubes employed in the system, and to the various
abled, on failure to feed a cigarette to the scale pan 5,
for any reason, but becomes operative again on feed of
trated, to simplify the exposition.
40 a further cigarette. It will be clear that completion of
It will be noted that not all the keys on an adding ma
a normal cycle, in absence of a cigarette, would be
chine are utilizable, for the weight values 1 to 24, which
equivalent to inclusion of a “one” weight cigarette in a
are employed in the examples‘ of our invention ‘herein
sample, and would invalidate the results obtained from a
described. So any number between 1 and 24 may be
run taken on that sample.
added by utilizing the units keys 1-9, ‘and one 10 and one
The feed motor 110 may be controlled independent
20 key. The squares of the numbers from 1 to 24, more
ly of start switch 160 and stop switch 85, by means of
over, have units values 1, 4, 5, 6 and 9 only, and a maxi
manual switches 140 and 141. Switch 141 connects feed
mum hundreds value of 5. To simplify the mechanism,
motor 110 directly across the AC. line, when contact
solenoids 23 are employed only for keys which are re
is made with contact 142. This condition is indicated by
quired, FIGURE 6 representing the appearance of a
neon lamp 143, which is connected across the D.-C. line
relay circuits, lamps, etc. The power supply is not illus
typical adding machine employing the minimum number
by switch 140, ganged with switch 141.
of ‘solenoids for the weight range 1 to 24, and for the
Each of contacts 58A to 58B is paralleled by a neon
squares of these weight ranges. In FIGURE 7 is illus
lamp indicator, 14413 to 144E, to indicate the operative
trated a plot of the actual positions and values of the
condition of the associated contacts.
solenoids, in the numbered blocks, as well as the key posi 55
To obtain a total, the “total” key 150, of adding ma
tions which have no solenoids, by empty blocks.
chine 24 may be manually actuated.
‘In the normal operation of the present system, as
If it is desired to obtain a count of the number of
succeding cylindrical objects are fed to the transducer,
objects which exceed certain predetermined limits, in
they are weighed, the weight is translated to a correspond
respect to weight, in the course of a run, limit counters,
ing current, the current selects a sensitive relay SR, the 60 as 151, 152 may be connected to selected contacts f of
selected sensitive relay SR selects a multi-connector relay
the multi-connector relay contacts. While, as illustrated,
54, and the selected multi-connector relay 54 actuates
counter 152 is connected to contacts representative of a
two adding machine‘ sections, one of which enters the
weight represented by numeral 18, and counter 151 is
weight grouping of the cylindrical object and the other
connected to contacts representative of a Weight repre
of which enters the square of that weight grouping. The
sented by numeral 22, in an exemplary case, in practice
operation proceeds automatically, the quantities pertain
either counter may be'connected in parallel to any desired
ing to each cylindrical object being inserted into the two
range of contacts f, so that counts within these ranges
adding machines in succession, until such time as a pre—
may be obtained, and any member of such counters may
determined count is attained on a predetermined counter
be employed.
61. At that time contacts 80 are closed. When con 70
'
Calibration
tacts 80 are closed they complete a circuit from the AC
common line to an AC hot line via lead 81, and through
release solenoid 82. The latter releases armature 83 to
Calibration of the present system is required, in order‘
to set the sensitive relays to respond only to weights with
its upper position to complete a circuit for indicator lamp
in desired weight ranges. Brie?y described, calibration is
84, which visually indicates completion of an operation, 75 accomplished by weighing a series of test cigarettes, each
3,043,507
.
10
9
of known weight, and obtaining a reading of setting of
a test potentiometer corresponding to each weight. The
settings of the test potentiometer are plotted graphically
as ordinates, against test weights as abscissae, and a con
tinuous graph drawn through the plotted points. By in
terpolation it is possible to obtain a potentiometer setting
for any desired weight from the graph. Accordingly,
From this graph may be determined the position of slider
211 corresponding with any weight within the scope of
the instrument.
In one speci?c embodiment of the present invention
each weight cell is 20 milligrams wide and there are
twenty~four cells. It is desired that the center of the
twelfth cell represent a target weight for a given brand
of cigarette. Accordingly, 10 milligrams are added to and
potentiometer settings are determined for each weight
subtracted from the target weight to obtain the boundary
cell boundary, and the adjusting resistances 44 of the
sensitive relays adjusted to bring in each relay at the 10 weights for the twelfth cell. The boundaries for all other
cells are obtained by adding, or subtracting, 20 milligrams
lower limit of the weight cell appropriate to that relay.
from these boundaries. The lower the cell number the
More speci?cally describing the calibrating operation,
heavier the cigarettes included, so that the weights falling
and particularly the obtaining of a calibration graph, a
within cell #2 is appropriate to the heaviest cigarette ex
test cigarette of known weight is placed in hopper 1, and
switch 141 closed at contact 142. Feed motor 110 is 15 pected to be encountered, and cell #24 to the lightest.
Obviously, for other applications than quality control
thus connected directly across the A.C. line, and com~
of cigarettes of a given brand other weights and weight
mences to run. The motor 110 is permitted to run until
cell widths will prove appropriate. These may be pro
the test cigarette falls into scale pan 5. The motor 10
vided within the scope of the present invention.
may then be stopped.
Having obtained values of settings of the slider 211 of
Meter switch 202 is now turned counter clockwise
potentiometer 207, the switch 35a is placed in calibrate
until a reading is obtained in meter 203, switch 35a be
ing then in “operate” position. The grids of the several
position. Microswitch 220 (FIG. 40) is closed, ‘and start
triodes 38, 39, 40, as well as the grid of a further triode
button 104 depressed. The slider 207 is set for a value
appropriate to the lowest weight value, i.e, the lower
205 are connected, in the operate position of switch 35a,
to the slider of potentiometer 31. The latter is supplied 25 boundary of cell #2. The variable resistor 44b is then
adjusted until sensitive relay SR 17 is ‘actuated, which in
with signal representative of weight of the test cigarette
turn supplies power to indicator lamp Lc. The slider 207
under control of photo-cell 19. A source of D.C. ana
is then set for the lower boundary of cell #3, and the
logue voltage (+265 V), at terminal 206, is connected
variable resistor 44c adjusted until indicator lamp Ld is
directly with all the anodes of triodes 38, 39, 40 and
205, and also in series with a potentiometer 207. The 30 illuminated. The sensitive relays SR are ‘all adjusted by
the same procedure, until the appropriate light comes on.
low voltage end of potentiometer 207 is connected to a
The sensitive relays and indicator lamps are supplied
slider 208 of a potentiometer 209, connected between ter
with current once in each cycle of operation, by timer
minal 210 and ground. The latter terminal is at —150
switches 58A and 588. Accordingly, the procedure is to
V D.C. The setting of slider 211 of potentiometer 207
may therefore be employed, in conjunction with slider ‘ adjust each variable resistor 44 slowly, a small amount
in each cycle, until the desired indicator lamp is energized.
208, to set the potentials of the grids of the triodes while
When the lamp is energized with each cycle the resistor
the switch 35a is in “operate” condition, while poten
44 is backed o? until the lamp fails to come on, and then
tiometer 31 sets the potentials of the grids in the “cali
eased back until it does again,
brate" position of switch 35a. The potentiometer 31 is
Each succeeding lower cell boundary is set by its re
connected at one end to slider 34, of potentiometer 35. 40
sistor 44, until all twenty-four cell boundaries are set.
The latter is connected between slider 208 and ground.
The procedure is then repeated, since the setting of any
The meter 203 is in series with the cathode of triode
resistor 44 affects all the others. The procedure must be
205, via an adjusting resistance 212. The switch 202,
repeated until all ‘the resistors are properly set simulta
and the resistances 213, 214 selected thereby serve to set
the scale of meter 203, since the latter resistances are, 45 neously, and none requires further adjustment. The sys
tem is then ready for operation.
connected in parallel to a slider 215 of potentiometer 209,
and serve as selective shunts around the meter.
Having set in desired values of setting for slider 215,
and of resistance for resistances 213, 214, when a test
cigarette of known weight is deposited on scale pan 5
a predetermined current ?ows in potentiometer 31, which
develops a predetermined voltage at its slider. This
voltage is transferred to the grid of triode 205 and deter
mines cathode current of the latter. Manipulation of
selective switch 205 results in a meter reading, a mini
mum reading occurring for one particular setting of switch
202. This reading is noted.
The switch 35a is then set to “calibrate” position, and
slider 211 adjusted to produce the same reading of meter
203. The reading of slider 211 is noted, as the calibra
tion reading for the particular test cigarette.
The procedure hereinabove described is followed for
each of the test cigarettes, i.e. a meter reading is obtained
for the cigarette, and a potentiometer reading then deter
mined at slider 211, which provides the same meter read 65
While I have described and illustrated one speci?c em
bodiment of the present invention, it will become apparent
that variations of the speci?c details of construction may
be resorted to Without departing from the true spirit and
scope of the invention as de?ned in the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
1. A system for measuring the total weight of a prede
termined number of objects and the sum of the squares of
said weights, comprising a weighing device, means for
automatically feeding said objects to said weighing device
one by one, ‘a ?rst adding machine section, a second add
ing machine section, means responsive to said Weighing
device for successively inserting into said ?rst adding ma
chine section the weights of successive ones of said ob
jects, and means responsive to said weighing device for
successively inserting into said second adding machine
section the squares of the weights of successive ones of
said objects.
'
A line is drawn through the plotted points to provide
2. Ina computing system, means for feeding objects
to a transducer at spaced time intervals, said transducer
comprising means for translating the weight of one of said
objects to an electrical signal having an amplitude repre
sentative of said weight, a plurality of relays connected
in parallel to said transducer, each of said relays being
arranged to operate in response to a different signal ampli
tude, whereby a predetermined number of said relays
operate and the remainder of said relays do not operate
a continuous calibration graph or curve, covering all
in response to and as a function of any given weight
possible cigarette weights, under normal circumstances.
applied to said transducer, a plurality of further relays,
ing.
‘
'
For the sake of accuracyeach test cigarette is weighed
several times, and a potentiometer reading taken each'
time. The readings ‘for each test cigarette are averaged,
and the several average readings plotted against test ciga~
rette weight.
3,043,507
11
12
means for selectively energizing one only of said further
tions pertaining to cigarette production, automatic feed
relays in response to and in accordance with selective
means for feeding cigarettes to a transducer in succession,
operation of said ?rst~mentioned relays, said further re
said transducer including means for converting weight of
lays'having each a different assigned weight range value,
each of said cigarettes to an electrical analog signal repre
a di?erent set of relay contacts operable by each of said Cl sentative of said weight, means for converting said analog
‘ further relays, a ?rst adding machine section having at
electrical signal to a digital representation of one of a
least units and tens entering solenoids, a second adding
group of discrete weights, means for digitally adding said
machine section having at least units, tens and hundreds
discrete weights for a predetermined number of said ciga~
entering solenoids, and connections between each set of.
rettes, and means for digitally adding the sum of the
said contacts and said solenoids for energizing said sole 10 squares of said weights for said predetermined number
noids selectively to enter the values of said weights in
or” cigarettes.
said ?rst adding machine section and the squares of the
11. The combination in accordance with claim 10
values of said weights in said second adding machine
wherein is provided means for generating a visual indica
section.
tion of a frequency distribution pertaining to said weights.
3. The combination in accordance with claim 2 wherein 15
12. A measuring and registering apparatus having in
said system includes means for automatically ejecting each
combination, a measuring device, a transducer comprising
said object from said transducer following translation of
means responsive to said measuring device for translating
the weight of said object to an electrical signal,
the measured value of an object to an electrical signal
4. The combination in accordance with claim 3 wherein
having an amplitude representative of said value, a plu
is further provided means for sensing the presence of an
rality of electrical signal responsive elements connected
object at said transducer, and means for in part disabling
in parallel to said transducer, means for automatically
said system in response to failure of presence of said
energizing and coordinating in succession a selected num
object at said transducer.
ber of the said group of elements in response to and as a
5. A calculating machine comprising a transducer for
function of the amplitude of the signal, a plurality of
weighing objects supplied to said transducer, said trans
further electrical signal responsive elements, means for
ducer including means for photo-electrically translating
selectively energizing and coordinating one only of said
weight to signal amplitude, means for feeding said ob
further elements in response to and in accordance with the
jects one by one to said transducer, each at a predeter
respective operation of said ?rst mentioned elements, and
mined time in aperiodic cycle, means for sensing whether
means including electric circuitry controlled by the respec
an object has been fed to said transducer at a proper time 30 tive said further elements for registering the measured
in said cycle and for modifying said cycle on failure of
value.
feed, an array of relay coils connected in parallel to said
13. A measuring and computing apparatus having in
transducer, each of said relay coils having an armature,
combination, a measuring device, means for automatically
a ?rst contact and ‘a second contact, said armatures nor
feeding a predetermined number of objects to said device
mally tall in contact, one for one, with said ?rst contacts,
one by one at coordinated time intervals and automatically
each of said relay coils arranged to actuate said ‘armatures
suspending ‘the feed at the completion of said predeter
into contact with said second contacts in response to a
mined number, a transducer comprising means responsive
predetermined minimum current, means for supplying a
to said measuring device for translating the measured
ditferent current to each of said relays in response to any
value of an object to an electrical signal having an ampli
given signal amplitude, said currents increasing step-wise
tude representative of said value, a plurality of electrical
in proceeding along said array, a common line connected
signal responsive elements connected in parallel to said
to all said armatures, a connection from each second con
transducer, means for automatically energizing and co
tact to a succeeding armature in said array, an array of
ordinating in succession a selected number of the said
multi-connector relay coils, a connection from each of
group of elements in response to and as a function of the
said ?rst contacts to one terminal of each of said multi~ l
amplitude‘ of the signal, a plurality of further electrical
connector relay coils, and a common connection to the
second terminals of said multi~connector relay coils, and
a different ?rst and second array of normally open
switches operable to closed condition in response to ener
gization of each of said multi-connector relay coils.
6. In a system for performing mathematical calcula
tions, means for feeding objects to a transducer in suoces~
sion, said transducer including means for converting a
measurable quantity pertaining to said objects to an
analog electrical signal, means for converting said analog
electrical signal to a digital representation of that one of
a group of discrete ranges of said measurable quantity
within which the measurable quantity falls, each of said
ranges having a numerical weight, means for digitally
adding the sum of said weights for a predetermined num
ber of said objects, and means for digitally adding the
sum of the squares of said weights ‘for said predetermined
number of said objects.
‘
7. The combination in accordance with claim 6 wherein
is provided means for generating a visual indication of a
frequency distribution of said weights for said predeter
mined number of said objects.
8. The combination in accordance with claim 6 wherein
is provided means for automatically terminating opera
signal responsive elements, means for selectively energiz
ing and coordinating one only of said further elements in
response to and in accordance with the respective opera
tion of said ?rst mentioned elements, and means including
electric circuitry controlled by the respective said further
elements for registering the measured value.
14. A system for measuring and registering the weight
of objects comprising, a weighing device, means for auto
matically feeding a predetermined number of objects to
said device one by one at coordinated time intervals and
automatically suspending the feed at the completion of
said predetermined number, a transducer comprising
means responsive to said measuring device for translating
60 the measured weight of an object to an electrical signal
value having an amplitude representative of said weight,
a plurality of electrical signal responsive elements con
nected in parallel to said transducer, means for auto
matically energizing and coordinating in succession a
selected number of the said group of elements in response
to and Aas a function of the amplitude of the signal, a
plurality of further electrical signal responsive elements,
tion of said means for feeding objects in response to a
means for selectively energizing and coordinating one
only of said further elements in response to and in accord
ance with the respective operation of said ?rst mentioned
predetermined count of said objects.
9. The combination in accordance with claim 6 wherein
is provided interlocks for modifying operation of said sys
tem on failure of said means for feeding said objects.
10. In ‘a system for performing mathematical calcula
elements, and means including electric circuitry controlled
by the respective said further elements for registering and
adding the values corresponding to the respective meas
ured weights of said predetermined number of the objects.
15. A measuring and registering system having in com
3,043,507
13
bination a measuring device, means for sequentialiy feed
ing a predetermined number of objects to said device one
by one, means ‘for successively ejecting the objects from
said device, a transducer comprising means responsive to
said measuring device for translating the measured value
of an object to an electrical signal having an ‘amplitude
representative of said value, automatic recording means
for utilizing said electrical signal to operate a registering
device to record the measured value of said object, elec
tric circuitry arranged to control said feeding means and 10
ejecting means to cause the sequential feed during a cycle
of operation of a predetermined number of objects to said
device and thereupon terminate the feed, and means for
rendering the recording means ineffective in the event the
feeding means fails to deliver an object in its normal 15
sequential operation during a cycle.
16. The system in accordance with claim 15 wherein
the automatic recording means is operated by electric
relays connected to be responsive to said electrical signal.
17. The system in accordance with claim 15 wherein is 20
further provided means for the determination of the
14
number of objects with measured values falling outside
predetermined limits.
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